March 14, 2015 – The USA’s Caitlin Gregg (Team Gregg/Madshus) placed 3rd on the women’s podium at the 42km Engadin Skimarathon on March 8. Fellow American and FIS Marathon Cup series leader, Holly Brooks, was 5th. Gregg recently made history with Jessie Diggins claiming a double-US podium at the 2015 FIS Nordic Worlds in Falun winning the bronze in the women’s 10km FR individual while Diggins took home the silver – read more here.

Gregg is no stranger to top results in the USA having won SuperTour races and the American Birkie but her recent international results are turning heads both at home and abroad. SkiTrax caught up with the rising star prior to the women’s 30km FR at the final round of the FIS World Cup in Olso.

Women's podium at Engadine Skimarathon (l-r) Roponen 2nd, Faivre-Picon 1st, Gregg 3rd © Worldloppet

How does it feel to land another prestigious international result ?
Caitlin Gregg: It feels awesome! I love long distance skate races and after not finishing this race in 2012 (I crashed and got a concussion) I was happy with a little redemption on the course!

Tell us about your race and skiing with Holly.
CG: Racing at the Engadin is super intense! The women start with the guys and it is much more aggressive out there than any other race I have done! Unlike other races I have done with Holly (the American Birkebeiner) where we can work together to move up and away from the other women, the Engadin makes the women’s race really hard to isolate! We are totally mixed in with the guys and its a challenge just to know when the lead women charge! I spent about a month above 9,000 ft in January and early February so the altitude was not a problem for me, knowing this I charged pretty hard on the hilly section of the course and perhaps broke up the women’s field a bit.

Did you ever imagine such a dream season…?
CG: Of course the results I have had this year were always something I dreamt about and why I keep training year after year! Brian and I did a pretty thorough analysis of my weaknesses last year and I spent a lot of time working on them this summer and fall. Without being on the National Team Brian and I are responsible for a lot on our own (training, travel and finances) but it also allows us a bit of independence to really focus on what’s the most important for our own success! Of course this means we have a lot of long hours planning and put every dollar we earn back into our skiing but we feel like it gives us a bit of pressure and responsibility at the end of the day that motivates us well. There is also sometimes a bit of good fortune involved but we try to take luck out of the equation and instead emphasize being as prepared as possible for whatever opportunities arise

Women's 10km Free Ind podium (l-r) Diggins2nd, Kalla 1st, Gregg 3rd © Nordic Focus

How has your mindset changed or been affected by your recent success and other North Americans ?
CG: The success of the other North American’s has for sure been a huge boost of confidence and inspiration for all of us athletes on the racing circuit! Breaking through the initial barriers has owned up the flood gates for so much more to happen! I am really grateful for the opportunities I get to train and travel with athletes who are so incredible! They help me believe in myself and I know they push everyone back at home in North America as well!

What’s the impact back home from your results ?
CG: The impact has been awesome! Brian and I work for a non-profit organization called In-the-Arena and we volunteer our time at the Jerry Gamble Boys and Girls Club in North Minneapolis (where we live and bought a house for $10,500 in 2011!). We spend countless hours working with the underserved youth of the area. I love it and although it can be exhausting and I should probably be napping or recovering from training, I wouldn’t want it any other way! Brian and I have worked with the organization for almost 8 years now and because of In-the-Arena we have both been able to continue pursuing our passions without being a part of the National Team! Like I said its a lot of hard work and probably not ideal from a recovery stand point but I have always believed that having depth as an athlete increases your experiences and ultimately your results! I have seen these kids overcome some of the most incredible obstacles (unlike anything thing we see in Nordic Skiing) and watching them rise above the circumstances is the greatest motivator for my own training and racing! Rather than myself being celebrated for the Bronze Medal I would rather use it to draw attention to our club program Loppet Nordic Racing and all they do in the community!  Brian and I spend a lot of time training aide by side with the younger athletes and that is a truly unique opportunity that doesn’t always happen with the Elite athletes in clubs. The Loppet Foundation is also connecting our two passions by providing programming for the children we work with at the Boys and Girls Club so that they can learn to ski and continue down the path to health and well being!

Caitlin Gregg and Jessie Diggins © USSA

What’s next for you as the season winds down?
CG: The season is the slow time for Brian and myself! We head to Sun Valley for our last races of the year and then we immeadiately head back to work at the Boys and Girls Club! Many athletes head someplace warm for spring break but we will actually head up to Katovik Alaska for a week with the SkiKu Nordic program teaching the Alaska Native kids about health, wellness and of course skiing! After that we will spend the majority of our time in Minneapolis continuing to be a part of the awesome ski community and taking part in a lot of fundraisers to ensure the future of our sport has a place at Theodore Wirth Park and to help create even more opportunities for the youth of North Minneapolis!

All the best.
CG: Thanks.

Caitlin’s husband Brian was the top US finishiner placing a personal best 35th in the Men’s 50km FR today at the Holmenkollen in Oslo.